As the movie begins, a man in a parked car is addressing “Danny Boy,” the man sitting next to him. Danny Boy stole $15,000 from the mob and blamed the speaker. The man says that he will take the blame and disappear if Danny Boy will give him $10,000. Danny Boy rejects the proposal by firing his gun at point-blank range.
Meanwhile, Frank Johnson (Ross Elliott) is walking his dog in the immediate vicinity. Danny Boy shoots at Frank but hits his shadow. Johnson at first agrees to identify the murderer but later flees.
Dan Legget (Dennis O’Keefe), a reporter for a sensationalist tabloid, approaches Johnson’s estranged wife, Eleanor. Legget promises to pay $1000 for Johnson’s story if she will help him locate her husband. Legget also seems to have an amorous interest in the lovely Eleanor who is not terribly displeased with his advances. She considers her husband a quitter and a failure, and the marriage is on the rocks.
While searching for Johnson, Eleanor discovers a much different man than the one she pictures. His friends and fellow workers consider him loyal, successful, talented and even adventuresome. One of his female coworkers confesses she has a crush on him. Eleanor also discovers Frank Johnson has a heart condition and will soon run out of medication.
**SPOILER ALLERT** Eventually Eleanor inquires how Legget likes to be addressed. He replies that most of his friends call him “Danny Boy.” We now realize that Legget is using Eleanor to find the only man who can identify him as a murderer.
I found this picture to be a very suspenseful and entertaining example of film noir. I wholeheartedly recommend it.